It was my birthday on Sunday (I turned 32), and every year around my birthday I like to reflect on how things are going, where I’m at in my life and where I want to be. What better time to share what’s going on in my life at the moment? If you want to know more about one of my answers, leave a comment below and I’ll happily answer any questions!
Making: I made gluten free banana chocolate chip muffins the other day using a recipe I found online. I thought I’d double it so that I could freeze some of the extras (they keep for ages, and you can pop one into your/your kid’s lunchbox in the morning and it will defrost just in time for morning tea!), but it ended up making two dozen muffins, a cake and a loaf. Oops.
Cooking: I don’t think this is cooking, but I’m obsessed with salads at the moment. Loving the crunchiness of cucumber with the earthiness of beetroot, crispness of lettuce and richness of cheese. I’m making the most of delicious fresh vegetables before winter hits and they’re out of season.
Drinking: Water and Robert Harris Irish Cream plunger coffee
Reading: I’m partway through Fat Girl Walking: Sex, Love, Food and Being Comfortable in Your Skin … Every Inch of It by Brittany Gibbons but I left that at home. I’m away at the moment and reading a book about healing from adrenal fatigue plus One Summer In Venice by Nicky Pellegrino
Wanting: To buy a bigger house! Our place is quite small and cramped, so I’d love somewhere that we could spread out a bit more with space for a decent-sized office. I’m saving madly but I am quite a way off that yet. Here’s hoping I win the lottery or something.
Looking: Out the window at the ocean.
Playing: Candy Crush Soda Saga. Don’t judge me.
Wishing: That it was cold enough to light the fire! It’s surprisingly warm in Gisborne considering it’s almost winter (currently 22ºC). I’m sure that when I get back to Auckland I will be back to wishing we had a fireplace!
Posing with a local Gisborne sculpture “Read Me A Story Grandad” by Donald Paterson, 2002
Enjoying: Autumn fashion – I’m all snuggled up in delicious knits (currently obsessed with this feather yarn sweater from 17 Sundays, which I’m wearing in the above photo) and loving life.
Waiting: For the sun to come out so that I can go down to the beach.
Liking: Quiet nights in where I can snuggle up with a blanket and a book.
Wondering: Where my motivation has gone. I have so much on at the moment and I seem to have no motivation!
Loving: All of the dogs, everywhere.
Pondering: Whether or not to blog about what’s going on with my knee – is that something you’d want to know about?
Considering: What to make for dinner.
Watching: Most recently Cracks, a movie with Eva Green and Juno Temple about girls at a boarding school.
Hoping: A date for my knee surgery will come up soon.
Marvelling: At how adorable dogs are. My family has three dogs and they are so sweet!
Needing: A nap – I got up way too early this morning for someone who is meant to be on holiday.
Wearing: Black and white patterned trousers, a black tee and slippers.
Following: The Dogist on Instagram – a photo-documentary series about the beauty of dogs, guaranteed to cheer me up.
Noticing: That I still haven’t done my taxes. I really should get on to that when I get home.
Knowing: That everyone needs a break sometimes and I need to learn to relax without stressing about work.
Thinking: Maybe I should give up processed sugar for good? I have been thinking this for about a year now and I’m becoming more and more convinced that it’s a good idea.
Admiring: The babely Margot Meanie – that gal has style and sass, she’s super driven and has really cute hair.
Sorting: My plans for my holiday! On the agenda so far I have relaxing on the beach and reading my books.
Buying: Slippers! I bought new slippers this week and they’re so soft and comfy.
Getting: Sleepy. I think it’s time for a nap.
Bookmarking: Information about my knee surgery.
Disliking: People who are disingenuous. I encounter a lot of them in my line of work but there are a few who really grate on my nerves.
Opening: New opportunities to help my blog be more awesome!
Giggling: At Text From Dog. So good!
Feeling: Ready to put plans into action.
Snacking: On fruit and cheese. My Grandma has a fantastic cheese selection and the feijoas down here are delicious.
Coveting: This handbag from Saben. It’s called Baby Regan, which rhymes with Meagan, so it’s clearly meant to be. Right?
Helping: Women find their fashion voice, babes who need body positivity and other bloggers who want to take their blogs to the next level
Hearing: The sound of the wind, my fingers tapping on the keyboard and the house moving.
What have you been up to? Pick five of these prompts and let me know!
Hehe! I’m playing original candy crush and “bubble witch”, I tried out the Kendall and Kylie game, but it was draining my battery and sluggish on my old ipad mini so I removed it. I think I had more fun on Kim K’s Hollywood anyways.
You are the sweetest babe! This was such a cute idea and thank you so much for naming me. You are one of my biggest inspirations, I adore you and hate that there is a hemisphere and ocean between us! I wish you the happiest year of being 32!!
Thanks darling!!! One day the hemisphere and ocean won’t keep us apart!!!
I’ve been playing Candy Crush so much while I’ve been on holiday, it’s ridiculous how addictive it is.
Happy birthday! I’ve taken a mini blogging break so think I might borrow your taking stock idea to get back into the swing of posting again this week x
Thanks Jess! This is a great way to get back into the swing of blogging, can’t wait to see your post!
Wow! What a lot of prompts. I tried them all for my writing exercise this morning. Here are just five:
Making: I’m making a chocolate corn flake tray bake, and staffing a stall at the school Spring Fair which I swore I’d have no part of!
Reading: My Mum was right. Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch is a brilliant book, although I like Theo a lot less than I did, don’t know why he’s getting married, and wish he’d just tell the truth!
Playing: the Sims 4. I’m in love with my character, Newa Weyya, even though he’s stopped his philandering ways and is madly in love with his wife, Miumee. His children (the legitimate ones) are boring and I hope to get them married off soon. I suspect his illegitimate daughter (whom he secretly meets at the park) is going to be really interesting.
Waiting: for my shoulder to get better instead of worse, and hoping that the injections are secretly working. Wishing I could go swimming with my family but hoping for a pleasant walk instead.
Watching: The Good Wife’s last season and hoping that Alicia will leave her husband and get happy with Jason.
It’s a great way to get your brain in the mood for writing! I’ve just added The Goldfinch to my “to read” list on Goodreads, it sounds really interesting – thanks for the recommendation 🙂 I don’t think I’ve played The Sims since I was a teenager though, I might need to reaquaint myself with that game, it sounds like it’s gotten much more interesting.
I feel like taking some time to think about where you’re at in life on your birthday is a really great idea, perhaps I should do that in July when its my birthday (possibly sooner!!). I hope you had a wonderful birthday!! It’s been ridiculously warm in Wellington (I know hard to believe) this autumn too, I hardly need to wear my coat!
Thanks Teresa, I had a lovely quiet birthday. I can’t believe how mild this autumn has been, I’m kind of hoping that winter is more like our usual autumn…
happy birthday
oh to be in my 30’s again…
Thanks Debra! I’ve got to say, I’m loving my 30’s so far – I feel much more together than I did in my 20’s!
I loved Cracks!
Such a good story, wasn’t it? I’ve always loved boarding school stories (much more exciting than when I was away at school!)